Bull AIX 5.3 Installation guide

AIX 5L

Installation in a Partitioned

Environment

ESCALA

AIX

REFERENCE

86 A2 90EM 00

ESCALA

AIX 5L

Installation in a Partitioned Environment

AIX

August 2004

BULL CEDOC

357 AVENUE PATTON

B.P.20845

49008 ANGERS CEDEX 01

FRANCE

REFERENCE

86 A2 90EM 00

Software

The following copyright notice protects this book under Copyright laws which prohibit such actions as, but not

limited to, copying, distributing, modifying, and making derivative works.

Copyright

Bull SAS 1992, 2004

Printed in France

Suggestions and criticisms concerning the form, content, and presentation of this

book are invited. A form is provided at the end of this book for this purpose.

To order additional copies of this book or other Bull Technical Publications, you

are invited to use the Ordering Form also provided at the end of this book.

Trademarks and Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the right of proprietors of trademarks mentioned in this book.

AIX® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, and is being used under licence.

UNIX® is a registered trademark in the United States of America and other countries licensed exclusively through

the Open Group.

Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries

The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Bull will not be liable for errors contained

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iii

Preface

About This Book

The AIX Installation in a Partitioned Environment guide provides system administrators with

complete information about how to perform such tasks as installing, maintaining, and

updating AIX in a partition using CD–ROM, tape, and network installation. It also covers

such topics as system backup, dump management, storage management, and remote

management. This publication is also available on the ”Hypertext Library for AIX 5.3”

CD-ROM that is shipped with the operating system.

Content of This Book

This edition of this book contains no technical changes. The content is identical to the

previous edition.

Highlighting

The following highlighting conventions are used in this book:

Bold Identifies commands, subroutines, keywords, files, structures,

directories, and other items whose names are predefined by the

system. Also identifies graphical objects such as buttons, labels, and

icons that the user selects.

Italics Identifies parameters whose actual names or values are to be supplied

by the user.

Monospace Identifies examples of specific data values, examples of text similar to

what you might see displayed, examples of portions of program code

similar to what you might write as a programmer, messages from the

system, or information you should actually type.

Case–Sensitivity in AIX

Everything in the AIX operating system is case–sensitive, which means that it distinguishes

between uppercase and lowercase letters. For example, you can use the ls command to list

files. If you type LS, the system responds that the command is ”not found.” Likewise, FILEA,

FiLea, and filea are three distinct file names, even if they reside in the same directory. To

avoid causing undesirable actions to be performed, always ensure that you use the correct

case.

ISO 9000

ISO 9000 registered quality systems were used in the development and manufacturing of

this product.

iv

AIX Installation in a Partitioned Environment

Related Publications

The following publications contain related information:

• Hardware Management Console Installation and Operations Guide

• AIX 5L Version 5.3 Installation Guide and Reference

• AIX 5L Version 5.3 System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices

• AIX 5L Version 5.3 System Management Guide: Communications and Networks

• AIX 5L Version 5.3 Commands Reference

• AIX 5L Version 5.3 Files Reference

• AIX 5L Version 5.3 General Programming Concepts: Writing and Debugging Programs

• AIX 5L Version 5.3 System User’s Guide: Operating System and Devices

• AIX 5L Version 5.3 System User’s Guide: Communications and Networks

v

Preface

Contents

About This Book iii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Content of This Book iii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Highlighting iii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Case–Sensitivity in AIX iii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ISO 9000 iii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Related Publications iv. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contents v. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 1. Getting Started 1-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

List of Materials 1-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Documentation Overview 1-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Configuring Online Documentation 1-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 2. Overview of Partitioning 2-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Managed System 2-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Logical Partitions 2-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dynamic Logical Partitioning 2-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Affinity Logical Partitions 2-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Working with Logical Partitions 2-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Full System Partition 2-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Partition Roadmap 2-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

When to Implement Logical Partitions 2-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Server Consolidation 2-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mixed Production and Test Environments 2-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Consolidation of Multiple Versions of the Same Operating System 2-4. . . . . . . . . . .

Partition Security 2-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 3. Logical Partition Scenarios and Recommendations 3-1. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Overview of AIX Installation Process 3-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Introduction to Network Installation Management 3-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Installation Scenarios 3-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Migrating to AIX 5.3 and Configuring Partition Support 3-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

First AIX System in Your Environment 3-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Installing a Partition Using Alternate Disk Installation 3-5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Advanced Installation Options 3-5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 4. Installing AIX in a Partitioned Environment 4-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Configure an Initial Partition as a NIM Master to Use NIM to Install the Remaining

Partitions 4-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Prerequisites 4-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1. Activate the Master_LPAR (Perform this Step in the HMC Interface) 4-3. . . . . . .

2. Configure NIM Master and Initiate Installation of Partitions (Perform These Steps

in the AIX Environment) 4-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. Activate and Install Partitions (Perform These Steps in the HMC Interface) 4-6. .

4. Log in to Your Partition (Perform This Step in the AIX Environment) 4-8. . . . . . . .

vi

AIX Installation in a Partitioned Environment

Use a Separate AIX System as a NIM Master to Use NIM to Install Each Partition 4-8

Prerequisites 4-9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1. Configure NIM Master and Initiate Installation of Partitions (Perform These Steps

in the AIX Environment) 4-9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. Activate and Install Partitions (Perform These Steps in the HMC Interface) 4-12. .

3. Log in to Your Partition (Perform This Step in the AIX Environment) 4-14. . . . . . . .

Installing AIX using the CD–ROM device to install a partition with an HMC 4-14. . . . . .

Prerequisites 4-15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1. Activate and install the partition (perform these steps in the HMC interface) 4-15.

2. Manage Your Partition (Perform This Step in the AIX Environment) 4-19. . . . . . . .

Installing AIX using the CD–ROM device to install a partition without an HMC 4-19. . . .

1. Prepare your system 4-19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. Boot from the AIX product CD 4-20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3. Set and verify BOS installation settings 4-20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4. Manage Your Partition (Perform This Step in the AIX Environment) 4-22. . . . . . . .

Migrate a System to the AIX 5.3 Partition–Ready State 4-22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Prerequisites 4-22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1. Migrate the System to AIX 5.3 (Perform These Steps in the AIX

Environment) 4-22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. Manage Your Migrated System (Perform This Step in the AIX Environment) 4-24

Update an Existing NIM Environment to the Latest AIX Recommended

Maintenance Level 4-25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Prerequisites 4-25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1. Update Your NIM Environment to the Latest Recommended Maintenance Level

(Perform These Steps in the AIX Environment) 4-25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2. Manage Your Partition (Perform This Step in the AIX Environment) 4-26. . . . . . . .

Chapter 5. System Backup, Dump, and Storage Management 5-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

System Backup 5-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Creating a System Backup 5-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Using NIM 5-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Using CD Media 5-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Using Tape Media 5-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Installing a System Backup Using NIM 5-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

System Dump Management 5-5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Storage Management 5-8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 6. Remote Management 6-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Remote Management From the HMC to AIX Partitions 6-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chapter 7. Hints and Tips 7-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Naming Your Operating System Host Name 7-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Network Adapter Communication Between Partitions and the HMC 7-2. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shutting Down a Partition 7-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Using AIX to Shut Down a Partition 7-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Using the HMC Interface to Shut Down a Partition 7-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Index X-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1-1

Getting Started

Chapter 1. Getting Started

This chapter helps you get started with installing and configuring an ESCALA managed

system environment. The following information is included in the chapter:

• ESCALA Roadmap

• ESCALA Materials – List of ESCALA materials

• Documentation Overview – Brief description of the printed and softcopy documentation

shipped including targeted audience

• Configuring Online Documentation – How to install and view the online documentation

The ESCALA Roadmap helps you locate marketing, service, and customer task information.

The roadmap guides you through the tasks and the publications that document those tasks.

Figure 1. The ESCALA Roadmap This flow chart shows marketing, service, and customer

tasks. The roadmap guides you through the tasks and the publications that document those

tasks. The specific tasks shown in the flow chart are planning, hardware installation,

configuring partitions, configuring full system partitions, installing and configuring the

operating system, installing and configuring applications, and using the system.

1-2

AIX Installation in a Partitioned Environment

List of Materials

Based on your order request, the ESCALA shipment may include the following materials:

CD–ROM Media:

• AIX 5.3 CDs

• AIX 5L Bonus Pack

• AIX 5L Expansion Pack

• AIX 5L Documentation CD

Documentation:

• eServer ESCALA Installation Guide

• eServer Hardware Management Console for ESCALA Installation and Operations Guide

• AIX Installation in a Partitioned Environment

1-3

Getting Started

• AIX 5L Version 5.3 Installation Guide and Reference

• AIX 5L Version 5.3 Release Notes

• System Unit Safety Information

Documentation Overview

This section provides descriptions, and target audience information for the ESCALA and AIX

5L documentation libraries. Some of the documentation may only be available in printed

form or in softcopy form. Based on the documentation content, the books are divided into

the following categories: Planning, Installing and Configuring, and Using the System.

Note: Starting with ESCALA Power 5 models, the Harware Documentation is provided only

on softcopy on a CD–ROM shipped with the systems.

Table 1. Planning

Documentation

Title

Description Audience Type

Site Preparation for

Racks Systems

Contains information

to help plan for site

preparation tasks,

such as

floor–planning,

electrical needs, air

conditioning, and

other site–planning

considerations.

Marketing, system

administrators

softcopy

Planning for

Partitioned–System

Operations

Describes planning

considerations for

partitioned systems,

including information

on dynamic

partitioning and

Capacity Upgrade on

Demand.

System

administrators

printed and softcopy

Hardware

Management

Console Installation

and Operations

Guide

Provides information

on how to install,

configure, and use a

Hardware

Management

Console (HMC).

Logical partition

(LPAR) tasks, such

as configuring and

managing partitions

on multiple host

servers, are

included.

System

administrators

printed and softcopy

1-4

AIX Installation in a Partitioned Environment

Table 2. Installing and Configuring

Documentation

Title

Description Audience Type

Hardware Installation

Guide

Provides information

on how to install

system hardware,

cable the system,

and verify

operations.

Service personnel printed and softcopy

Planning for

Partitioned–System

Operations

Describes planning

considerations for

partitioned systems,

including information

on dynamic

partitioning and

Capacity Upgrade on

Demand.

System

administrators

printed and softcopy

Hardware

Management

Console Installation

and Operations

Guide

Provides information

on how to install,

configure, and use a

Hardware

Management

Console (HMC).

Logical partition

(LPAR) tasks, such

as configuring and

managing partitions

on multiple host

servers, are

included.

System

administrators

printed and softcopy

AIX Installation in a

Partitioned

Environment

(this book)

Provides information

on how to install the

AIX operating

system in an LPAR

environment.

System

administrators

printed and softcopy

AIX Operating

System Installation:

Getting Started

Provides information

on how to install and

configure the AIX

operating system on

a standalone system

using a CD–ROM

device.

System

administrators

printed and softcopy

1-5

Getting Started

Documentation

Title

TypeAudienceDescription

AIX 5L Installation

Guide and

Reference

Provides information

on installing the AIX

5L operating system

on standalone

systems, as well as

on client systems

using the Network

Installation

Management (NIM)

interface.

System

administrators

printed and softcopy

AIX 5L

Documentation CD

AIX documentation

library (system

management guides,

user guides,

application

programmer guides,

commands and files

references, AIX man

pages, and so on).

System

administrators

softcopy

Table 3. Using the System

Documentation

Title

Description Audience Type

Hardware

Management

Console Installation

and Operations

Guide

Provides information

on how to install,

configure, and use a

Hardware

Management

Console (HMC).

Logical partition

(LPAR) tasks, such

as configuring and

managing partitions

on multiple host

servers, are

included.

System

administrators

printed and softcopy

Hardware User’s

Guide

Provides using,

problem

determination, and

service processor

information.

System

administrators

printed and softcopy

Diagnostic

Information for

Multiple Bus

Systems

Combines operating

instructions for

hardware diagnostic

programs with

common MAPs and

SRNs (Service

Request Numbers).

Service personnel printed and softcopy

1-6

AIX Installation in a Partitioned Environment

Documentation

Title

TypeAudienceDescription

Hardware

Management

Console

Maintenance Guide

Contains MAPs,

removal and

replacement, error

code, and parts

information to help

diagnose and repair

the system.

Service personnel printed and softcopy

Adapters Information

for Multiple Bus

Systems

Provides information

about adapters that

are attached to or

used within the

system.

System

administrators

printed and softcopy

System Unit Safety

Information

Contains the English

version of safety

notices, as well as

translations of those

safety notices into

other languages.

System

administrators,

service personnel

printed and softcopy

AIX 5L

Documentation CD

AIX documentation

library (system

management guides,

user guides,

application

programmer guides,

commands and files

references, AIX man

pages, and so on).

System

administrators

softcopy

Configuring Online Documentation

The AIX online documentation is delivered on the following CD-ROM:

– 86 X2 32EM: Hypertext Library. Full Set for AIX 5.3

Instructions for installing the Hypertext Library are contained in the CD-ROM booklet and

must be scrupulously followed.

The Hypertext Library comes with a set of tools called The Hypertext Library Utilities. This

set of tools contains a Search function allowing to search for information through the entire

Library and a Multi-Print capability allowing to print several documents with a single click in

the Search Results window, plus features allowing to create and manage notes through the

entire Library and to add (or remove) user documentation to the Library.

The Hypertext Library and the Hypertext Library Utilities have both a graphical and

character interface.

The contents of the Hypertext Library and the Hypertext Library Utilities are described in the

Hypertext Library home page.

2-1

Overview of Partitioning

Chapter 2. Overview of Partitioning

Partitioning your system is similar to partitioning a hard drive. When you partition a hard

drive, you divide a single physical hard drive so that the operating system recognizes it as a

number of separate logical hard drives. You have the option of dividing the system’s

resources by using the Hardware Management Console (HMC) to partition your system. On

each of these divisions, called partitions, you can install an operating system and use each

partition as you would a separate physical system.

Managed System

A managed system is a system that is physically attached to and managed by the HMC.

The HMC can perform tasks that affect the entire managed system, such as powering the

system on and off. You can also create partitions and partition profiles within each managed

system. These partitions and partition profiles define the way that you configure and operate

your partitioned system.

Logical Partitions

A logical partition (LPAR) is the division of a computer’s processors, memory, and hardware

resources into multiple environments so that each environment can be operated

independently with its own operating system and applications. The number of logical

partitions that can be created depends on the system’s processor model and resources

available. Typically, partitions are used for different purposes, such as database operation,

client/server operations, Web server operations, test environments, and production

environments. Each partition can communicate with the other partitions as if each partition

is a separate machine.

Beginning with AIX 5.1, the AIX operating system supports partitioned environments.

Although the AIX installation concepts are the same, the ability to configure and manage a

partitioned environment with the AIX operating system is available in AIX 5.2. This guide

assumes the reader has some familiarity with partition management. For more information

about partition management, refer to the Hardware Management Console Installation and

Operations Guide.

A logical partition must contain a minimum set of resources, as follows:

• 1 GB of available system memory

• One available system processor

• One boot device on an assigned I/O slot

• One available network adapter (for error reporting)

• Any other adapters you may need on an assigned I/O slot

Processors, memory, and I/O slots can be allocated to any partition, regardless of their

location. However, if you attempt to activate a partition, but the resources you specified are

not available at the time, partition activation fails. It is important to keep track of your

system’s resources to avoid activation failures. PCI slots are assigned individually to

partitions, and memory can be allocated in 256 MB increments. The granularity of the

resources that can be assigned to partitions is very fine, providing flexibility to create

systems with just the desired amount of resources. Each partition runs its own copy of the

AIX operating system and is isolated from any activity in other partitions. Software failures

2-2

AIX Installation in a Partitioned Environment

do not propagate through the system, and the hardware facilities and microcode isolate the

resources.

Dynamic Logical Partitioning

Dynamic logical partitioning provides the ability to logically attach and detach a managed

system’s resources to and from a logical partition’s operating system without rebooting.

For more information on dynamic logical partitioning, see the following:

• The Reassigning Partition Resources Dynamically section in the Hardware Management

Console Installation and Operations Guide.

• The Dynamic Reconfiguration section in the AIX 5L Version 5.3 General Programming

Concepts: Writing and Debugging Programs.

• The Dynamic Reconfiguration Safe and Aware Programs section in the AIX 5L Version

5.3 General Programming Concepts: Writing and Debugging Programs.

Affinity Logical Partitions

Some systems have the ability to create affinity logical partitions. Check your hardware

specifications to see if your managed system is capable of using affinity logical partitions.

An affinity logical partition is a special type of logical partition that uses system resources

that are in close physical proximity to each other. When creating an affinity logical partition,

the HMC automatically determines which system resources are to be used, based on their

physical location to each other. The system resources that are automatically managed by

the HMC are processors and memory. The user determines the I/O requirements for each of

these partitions. The HMC then creates a profile for each affinity logical partition and a

system profile for the managed system.

Working with Logical Partitions

The logical partition resource allocation provides the ability to select individual components

to be added to a partition without dependencies between these resources. The slots can be

freely allocated in any I/O drawer on the system. Other devices may be required for specific

application requirements. It is a good idea to configure more PCI slots in the partition than

are required for the number of adapters. This provides flexibility by allowing additional

adapters to be hot–plugged into the empty slots that are part of an active partition. Because

each partition requires its own separate boot device, the system must have at least one

boot device and associated adapter per partition.

There are a few differences in how AIX runs within a logical partition, as opposed to how it

runs on a standalone server:

• In order for AIX to run inside a logical partition, AIX calls the Hypervisor in place of its

traditional direct access to the hardware and address–mapping facilities.

• Some direct–access calls are presented for diagnostic purposes, and alternate return

codes for Run–Time Abstraction Services (RTAS) calls are used whenever an illegal

operation is issued.

• No physical console exists on the partition. While the physical serial ports on the system

can be assigned to the partitions, they can only be in one partition at a time. To provide

an output for console messages and also for diagnostic purposes, the firmware

implements a virtual tty that is seen by AIX as a standard tty device. Its output is sent to

the HMC. The AIX diagnostics subsystems use the virtual tty as the system console.

• Certain platform operations are constrained in LPARs. For example, in non–LPAR

systems, platform firmware updates can be performed from AIX by a root user. Because

2-3

Overview of Partitioning

firmware updates can affect all partitions in an LPAR system, the LPAR administrator can

specify that a particular partition (or no partition) has this authority. Within that partition,

firmware updates work in the same way as they do for non–LPAR systems.

Apart from these considerations, AIX runs within a partition the same way it runs on a

standalone server. No differences are observed either from the application or the

administrator’s point of view. Third–party applications need only be certified for a level of

AIX that runs in a partition, and not for the LPAR environment itself.

Full System Partition

A special partition called the Full System Partition assigns all of your managed system’s

resources to one large partition. The Full System Partition is similar to the traditional,

non–partitioned method of operating a system. Because all resources are assigned to this

partition, no other partitions can be started when the Full System Partition is running.

Likewise, the Full System Partition cannot be started while other partitions are running. It is

recommended that you choose to use either the Full System Partition or create other

partitions. It is not recommended that you switch between these two options frequently,

because your I/O usage might be affected.

Partition Roadmap

Use the following illustration to help you locate information about understanding, planning

for, and configuring partitions, as well as information about installing the AIX operating

system.

Figure 2. Partition Roadmap This illustration shows the logical partition concepts and the

books that contain this information. The Hardware Management Console Installation and

Operations Guide contains information about understanding LPAR, planning LPAR, and

configuring LPAR. The AIX 5L Version 5.3 AIX Installation in a Partitioned Environment

guide contains information about installing AIX in an LPAR (such as CD installation and

Network Installation Management installation); and additional considerations for running in

LPAR (such as remote management, dump devices, system backup and restore, and

system maintenance).

2-4

AIX Installation in a Partitioned Environment

When to Implement Logical Partitions

A logically partitioned environment adds to a portfolio of solutions that can provide better

management, improved availability, and more efficient use of resources. This section

provides some scenarios where a logically partitioned environment brings significant

benefits, as well as other scenarios where it may not be appropriate.

Server Consolidation

A server with sufficient processing capacity that is capable of being partitioned can address

the need for server consolidation by logically subdividing the server into a number of

separate smaller systems. In this way the application–isolation needs can be met in a

consolidated environment, with the additional benefits of reduced floor space, a single point

of management, and easier redistribution of resources as workloads change.

Mixed Production and Test Environments

Generally, production and test environments should be isolated from each other. Partitioning

enables separate partitions to be allocated for the production and test systems, eliminating

the need to purchase additional hardware and software. When testing has been completed,

the resources allocated to the test partition can be returned to the production partition or

elsewhere as required. It might be that the test environment later becomes the production

environment, and extra resources can then be added to the partition. As new projects are

developed, they can be built and tested on the same hardware on which they will eventually

be deployed.

Consolidation of Multiple Versions of the Same Operating System

Starting with AIX 5.1, different versions of AIX can exist within different LPARs in the same

system. This enables a single system to have different versions of the operating system

installed to accommodate multiple application requirements. Furthermore, an LPAR can be

created to test applications under new versions of the operating system prior to upgrading

the production environments. Instead of having a separate server for this function, a

minimum set of resources can be temporarily used to create a new LPAR where the tests

are performed. When the partition is no longer needed, its resources can be incorporated

back into the other LPARs.

Partition Security

System administrators can install a system with the Controlled Access Protection Profile

(CAPP) and Evaluation Assurance Level 4+ (EAL4+) option during a base operating system

(BOS) installation. A system with this option has restrictions on the software that is installed

during BOS installation, plus network access is restricted.

Beginning in AIX 5L Version 5.2 with the 5200–01 Recommended Maintenance package,

the CAPP/EAL4+ technology runs on POWER4 processor (p630, p650, and p690)

hardware platforms that support logical partition configuration. Peripherals that are

supported are terminals and printers, hard disks and CD–ROM drives as storage devices,

and streamers and floppy disk drives as backup devices. Supported network connector

types are Ethernet and Token Ring.

For more information on the Controlled Access Protection Profile and Evaluation Assurance

Level 4+ technology, refer to the AIX 5L Version 5.3 Security Guide and the Hardware

Management Console Installation and Operations Guide.

3-1

Logical Partition Scenarios and Recommendations

Chapter 3. Logical Partition Scenarios and

Recommendations

This chapter provides an overview of the AIX installation process and various installation

scenarios you can use. Because the managed system may be the first AIX system in your

environment (or the first AIX 5.1 system in an AIX 4.3 environment), this information and

accompanying recommendations will help guide you on decisions about installation,

maintenance, and system backup.

Overview of AIX Installation Process

Due to the physical configuration of a managed system, use of the Network Installation

Management (NIM) environment to install AIX is recommended. The following table

compares how different forms of media proceed through the AIX installation process:

Steps

CD–ROM

Product

Media

NIM mksysb on

CD–R or

DVD–RAM

mksysb on tape

Booting Boot image is

stored and

retrieved from

CD.

Boot image is

stored on NIM

server. Boot

image is

retrieved from

network by

firmware.

Boot image is

stored and

retrieved from

CD–R or DVD.

Boot image is

stored and

retrieved from

the first image on

tape.

Making BOS

Installation

Choices

Manually step

through the

BOS menu

selections for

disks, kernel,

language, and

so on.

Perform

nonprompted

installation using

a bosinst.data

file to answer the

BOS menu

questions.

Manually

proceed through

the BOS menu

selections for

disks.

Manually

proceed through

the BOS menu

selections for

disks and other

choices.

Executing

Commands

During

Installation

CD–file

system is

mounted and

commands

are executed.

SPOT file

system is NFS

mounted and

commands are

run from the

SPOT.

CD–file system

is mounted and

commands are

executed.

Command files

are retrieved

from second

image on tape to

RAM–file system

in memory.

3-2

AIX Installation in a Partitioned Environment

Installing

Product

Images

Installation

images stored

on CD in a file

system.

Installation

images are

stored in

LPP_Source,

which is NFS

mounted during

installation.

Backup image is

stored on CD–R

or DVD–RAM in

a file system.

Backup image is

stored and

retrieved from

fourth image on

tape.

Rebooting

System and

Logging into

System

Use

Configuration

Assistant (or

Installation

Assistant) to

accept license

agreements,

set paging

space, and so

on.

No Configuration

Assistant (or

Installation

Assistant). Boot

to login prompt.

No Configuration

Assistant (or

Installation

Assistant). Boot

to login prompt.

No Configuration

Assistant (or

Installation

Assistant). Boot

to login prompt.

Introduction to Network Installation Management

This section provides an introduction to the NIM environment and the operations you can

perform to manage the installation of the Base Operating System (BOS) and optional

software on one or more machines. NIM gives you the ability to install and maintain not only

the AIX operating system, but also any additional software and fixes that may be applied

over time. NIM also allows you to customize the configuration of machines both during and

after installation. NIM eliminates the need for access to physical media, such as tapes and

CD–ROMs, because the media is a NIM resource on a server. System backups can be

created with NIM, and stored on any server in the NIM environment, including the NIM

master. Use NIM to restore a system backup to the same partition or to another partition.

Before you begin configuring the NIM environment, you should already have the following:

• NFS and TCP/IP installed

• TCP/IP configured correctly

• Name resolution configured

For any installation procedure, you need a software source to install from, such as the AIX

product CD–ROM. The AIX product CD–ROM contains boot images used to boot the

system from the CD–ROM, installation images, and the installation commands used to

install the installation images, as shown in the following illustration:

Figure 3. An example of an AIX product CD–ROM This illustration shows an AIX product

CD–ROM contains boot images used to boot the system from the CD–ROM, installation

images, and the installation commands used to install the installation images.

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Bull AIX 5.3 Installation guide

Bull AIX 5.3 Installation guide

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